TORRINGTON — The Warner Theatre suffered a loss of more than $1 million in its last fiscal year and was forced to spend half its reserves to counter some of the dramatic revenue drop, according to the nonprofit's 2011-2012 financial report.

Regular patrons and staff for months had noted an apparent decline in ticket sales, with empty seats at highly promoted shows. Their observations are confirmed in the theater's 990 form, the annual filing the Internal Revenue Service requires of tax exempt organizations, and in a decision this month by the Warner board of directors to seek help.

The board has hired Arts Consulting Group, a national firm based in Boston, to examine the theater's operations and program schedule and suggest ways to boost revenue. The firm's consultant on the job will be Elissa O. Getto, former executive director of the Stamford Center for the Arts, who is known in the state's arts community for leading that nonprofit out of a 2008 bankruptcy. Getto, first hired in Stamford as a consultant, left that executive job in December. Bruce D. Thibodeau, president of the Arts Consulting Group, declined to comment about Getto's work with the Warner, citing a confidentiality agreement with the board of directors.

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